Roki Sasaki Eliminates Several MLB Teams

Roki Sasaki, the highly sought-after Japanese pitcher, has officially ruled out several MLB teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants, ahead of his signing window that opens Wednesday. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are currently viewed as the frontrunners, with the Toronto Blue Jays also in consideration. Sasaki, classified as an international amateur due to his age and experience, will be limited to a minor league contract governed by international signing bonus pools. His agent has indicated that Sasaki values long-term development over traditional factors like market size or immediate success. With the signing period running until January 23, teams can also adjust their bonus pools through trades. Sasaki's impressive stats in Japan, including a fastball reaching 100 mph, have made him a highly coveted prospect in MLB.